Montes Taurus

Montes Taurus
Montes Taurus. Edge of Mare Serenitatis is seen in the left and edge of Mare Crisium in the lower right. Image width is 700 km.
Highest point
Elevation	2.1 km above mean level of lunar surface[1]
Listing	Lunar mountains
Coordinates	27°19′N 40°20′E / 27.32°N 40.34°E / 27.32; 40.34
Naming
English translation	Taurus Mountains
Language of name	Latin
Geography
Location	the Moon

Montes Taurus is a rugged, jumbled mountainous region on the Moon. It is located to the east of the Mare Serenitatis, in the northeastern quadrant of the Moon's near side. Coordinates of their center are 27°19′N 40°20′E / 27.32°N 40.34°E / 27.32; 40.34 (Montes Taurus), and their extent is about 170 km.^[2]

Montes Taurus are rather unimpressive and indistinct compared to other named lunar mountain systems.^[3] It is a broad hilly region without sharp borders. These mountains reach maximal height between craters Kirchhoff and Newcomb (4.9 km above Mare Serenitatis and 2.1 km above mean level of lunar surface).^[1]

A number of craters lie embedded within this range. At the southwestern edge of the region is the crater Römer, and Newcomb is located in the northeastern section. Several satellite craters also lie throughout the Montes Taurus. The southwestern edge of this region hosts Taurus–Littrow valley, the landing site of the crewed Apollo 17 mission.